IT is disappointing that Mr Horner chooses to attack York council for carrying out repairs and making improvements in the city in the run-up to Royal Ascot (Letters, April 8).

His statement that the works are at the expense of council tax payers is not the case. Yorkshire Forward, the regional development body, is providing about £650,000 and the only cost to York citizens is about £55,000 of minor road improvements which will be of wider benefit particularly for future race meetings.

Mr Horner should be congratulating the council for bringing in outside funding to improve the city

Simon Wiles,

Director of resources,

City of York Council,

Library Square,

York.

Updated: 09:29 Tuesday, April 12, 2005